---
iata: YYZ
name: Toronto Pearson International Airport
city: Toronto
country: Canada
lastUpdated: '2026-09-04'
officialWebsite: 'https://www.torontopearson.com/en'
sources:
  - 'https://www.torontopearson.com/en'
  - 'https://www.torontopearson.com/en/transportation-and-parking/up-express'
  - >-
    https://www.prioritypass.com/en-GB/lounges/canada/toronto-pearson-international
quickFacts:
  - >-
    Two main terminals: T1 (domestic, US transborder, international) and T3
    (domestic, US, international)
  - Hub for Air Canada and WestJet
  - Link Train connects T1 and T3 in ~2 minutes
  - >-
    UP Express reaches Union Station in 28 minutes (CAD 12.35 adult / 9.25
    PRESTO)
  - Security wait times typically 0-5 minutes per official dashboard
  - Multiple Plaza Premium lounges split by departure zone
bentoTips:
  - label: Timing
    title: Arrive 3 hours early for US/international
    detail: Peak periods can push waits higher despite generally fast screening.
    summary: >-
      Official recommendation for US and international flights; 2 hours for
      domestic.
    category: timing
  - label: Terminal
    title: Check boarding pass before security
    detail: >-
      Link Train only landside; confirm your departure terminal to avoid
      backtracking.
    summary: T1 and T3 are separate post-security; no airside transfer between them.
    category: terminal
  - label: Food
    title: Grab local chef spots airside
    detail: >-
      Solid options across budgets; duty-free online shopping available
      pre-arrival.
    summary: Try Caplansky's Deli (T3 CAN/INTL) or LEE Kitchen by Susur Lee (T1 INTL).
    category: food
  - label: Status
    title: Monitor real-time security dashboard
    detail: US-bound includes CBP; domestic usually quickest.
    summary: Pearson site shows 0-5 min waits across zones; plan extra buffer anyway.
    category: status
lounges:
  - name: Plaza Premium Lounge (Domestic)
    hours: '05:30-01:00'
    access:
      - Priority Pass
      - Day pass
    bestFor:
      - Short layovers
      - Work
    summary: Convenient but often crowded; variable quality and capacity limits.
    verdict: depends
    terminal: Terminal 1
    amenities:
      - Showers
      - Food
      - Wi-Fi
  - name: Plaza Premium Lounge (US Transborder)
    hours: '05:30-21:00'
    access:
      - Priority Pass
      - Day pass
    bestFor:
      - US flights
    summary: Solid for transborder but split zones mean confirm your gate area first.
    verdict: depends
    terminal: Terminal 1
    amenities:
      - Food
      - Drinks
      - Seating
  - name: Plaza Premium Lounge (International)
    hours: '05:30-01:00'
    access:
      - Priority Pass
      - Day pass
    bestFor:
      - Long layovers
    summary: >-
      Use Terminal 3 international (open); Terminal 1 international Plaza
      Premium is temporarily closed — confirm in the Priority Pass app.
    verdict: depends
    terminal: Terminal 3
    amenities:
      - Food
      - Showers
      - Quiet areas
  - name: Maple Leaf Lounge
    hours: Varies by zone
    access:
      - Air Canada Business
      - Star Alliance Gold
    bestFor:
      - Premium passengers
    summary: >-
      Preferred over Plaza Premium by regular travelers for better food and
      quieter sections when eligible.
    verdict: worth-it
    terminal: Terminal 1
    amenities:
      - Showers
      - Premium food
      - Work areas
waterOptions:
  - kind: purchase
    name: Hudson's Bay or convenience stores
    zone: landside
    price: CAD 2.50-3.50 for 500ml
    summary: Standard bottled water pricing; widely available but not the cheapest.
    location: Landside near check-in or airside post-security near gates
    terminal: Terminal 1
  - kind: refill
    name: Water fountains
    zone: airside
    price: Free
    summary: >-
      Reliable free refill spots post-security; best value for frequent
      travelers.
    location: Near Plaza Premium Lounge B24 and multiple gate clusters
    terminal: Terminal 3
    isBestValue: true
  - kind: free
    name: Lounge water stations
    zone: airside
    price: Free with access
    summary: >-
      Unlimited free water in lounges; quality depends on lounge but convenient
      if already accessing.
    location: Inside Plaza Premium or Maple Leaf Lounges
    terminal: Terminal 1
    isBestQuality: true
airportistScore: 7.3
slug: yyz
region: North America
---
> Markdown for [/airports/yyz](/airports/yyz). Append `.md` to any page URL (or send `Accept: text/markdown`) for an agent-readable copy.

- [HTML page](/airports/yyz)
- [Lounge directory](/airports/yyz/lounges.md)
- [Sitemap](/sitemap.md)

# Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
Toronto, Canada · North America
Solid mid-tier North American hub with efficient security and good food options but split terminals create navigation friction for connections.
## Airportist Score

**7.3 / 10**
- Comfort: 7.2
- Navigation: 6.8
- Food: 7.5
- Transport: 8.0
- Disruption resilience: 7.0

## At a glance

- Passengers: ~50M
- Terminals: 2 active (T1, T3)
- Typical security: 10 min
- On-time: 78%
- Disruption: normal

## Best for

- Efficient security screening
- Direct downtown rail link
- Diverse local food options
- Lounge variety for premium passengers

## Watch out for

- Terminal splits requiring landside transfers
- Crowded Plaza Premium lounges at peak times
- US CBP processing variability
- Higher taxi/ride-share costs during surges

## More intel

- [Lounge directory](/airports/yyz/lounges.md) (free)
- [Getting there](/airports/yyz/getting-there.md) (free)
- [Amenities](/airports/yyz/amenities.md)
- [Traveler tips](/airports/yyz/tips.md)
- [Water](/airports/yyz/water.md)
- [Full guide](/airports/yyz/guide.md)
- [Disruptions](/airports/yyz/disruptions.md)
- [Reviews](/airports/yyz/reviews.md)